The rainfall, which started around 7 AM and continued until 5 PM, had already saturated the soil in the area, which had been experiencing heavy rains since the beginning of March.
The motorcyclists, who were returning from Gasenyi Trading Center, were caught by the landslide. The victims were Imanirafasha Diedonné, 23, from Nyabiguri Village, Gasharu Cell, and Ishimwe Chance, from Gasharu Cell, Gashanga Village.
The passenger, Harerimana Joseph, 42, from Karambo Village, Murengezo Cell, is currently receiving treatment at Kibuye Referral Hospital.
Fabien Ngendo, the Acting Executive Secretary of Mutuntu Sector, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged residents to be more cautious.
He said, “We urge the community to remain vigilant, as the continuous heavy rainfall in Karongi has caused the soil to become unstable.”
Meteo Rwanda, the Rwanda Meteorological Agency, has forecasted above-average rainfall in March 2026, which could lead to more natural disasters.
This tragic event follows another similar incident three days earlier in Gashari Sector, Karongi District, where a landslide destroyed a house, resulting in two fatalities.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) recently reported that from January 1, 2025, to March 18, 2026, weather-related disasters, including heavy rains, landslides, and lightning strikes, have claimed the lives of 207 people nationwide, injured 432, and damaged 2,341 homes, with 35 completely destroyed.
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